United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), a leading container shipping line and emerging global carrier, has ordered 2,000 reefer containers from Daikin.

The order marks the first milestone in the expansion of UASC’s reefer services and underpins the company’s ongoing investment in the cutting-edge, energy-efficient solutions for the carriage of frozen and chilled cargoes.

The containers will be fitted with Daikin’s latest LXE 10E model reefer unit - the “H” model. While providing the optimum temperature environment and airflow for chilled cargo, hard- and software developments have significantly reduced power consumption, achieving a 50 per cent reduction in comparison to the earliest model, introduced in 2001.
The units have a highly sensitive temperature control system, making it suitable for any weather condition and all types of cargo.

With an average reefer container age of three years, UASC’s progressively expanding reefer fleet is one of the youngest in the industry and this order of an additional 2,000 reefer units represents a considerable increase in the overall size of UASC’s reefer fleet, a statement said.

This ongoing investment will support the growth of existing services and enhanced geographic access to the South America trades, following the recent service agreement with Hamburg Süd, it said.

Gareth Madsen, head of reefer management, UASC commented: “The progressive expansion of UASC’s fleet of refrigerated units ensures enhanced reefer availability for all our customers. We are committed to driving down costs, optimizing networks and continuously improving the services that we offer. This order for 2,000 units from Daikin will enable UASC to deliver the right level of accessibility, quality and efficiency for the carriage of frozen and chilled cargoes.”

“UASC will be placing more orders of reefer units this year. More details will be released once plans are finalized.” Madsen added.

“In terms of quality, performance and reliability, Daikin’s latest reefer units set the industry benchmark. In addition, it fits UASC’s overarching commitment to investment in eco-efficiency and environmentally responsible operations, which we believe is good for our business, good for our customers and good for our planet.”

Katsuhiro Tetsuya, Reefer Container Division Director, Daikin said: “It is a privilege to be part of UASC’s ambitious growth strategy. The latest Daikin LXE 10 E “H” Model sets new standards in terms of energy efficiency and reliability, directly supporting UASC’s focus on delivering outstanding customer service.”

The aspirations for UASC’s reefer business form a key element of the company’s ambitious expansion strategy. This announcement follows three deliveries of 15,000 TEU vessels from UASC’s current new building programme (comprising 17 ships - eleven 15,000 TEU vessels and six 18,800 TEU vessels), as well as co-operations with leading liner shipping companies CMA CGM and China Shipping Container Lines (together forming the Ocean Three alliance), as well as the extensive cooperation agreement with Hamburg Süd Group, the statement said. -TradeArabia News Service